As you know, constipation affects not only children, but also adults. If we talk about the older generation, then in this case the diagnosis of this symptom is quite simple, but if we are talking about babies, then in this case it is very difficult to choose the right treatment.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the time during which there is no feces in the baby. If he does not go to the toilet for more than 1-2 days, then this is the first symptom of constipation. In this case, it is recommended to use specialized drugs designed for babies.
Today on sale you can find both a baby laxative in the form of syrups and candles, and pick up more gentle folk methods. However, you need to understand that in an exacerbation situation, you need to seek specialized help. In some cases, constipation may be a sign of more serious pathologies.
Also, in the absence of stool, the child should pay attention to those foods that can help stimulate the excretion of feces in a natural way. Let's consider them in more detail.
Food products
In order to get rid of unpleasant symptoms, it is not necessary to buy expensive or chemical preparations. It is enough to go to any grocery store and purchase plums or prunes. Experts recommend introducing these fruits into the diet of a child from 5-6 months.
To help the baby go to the toilet, you can prepare mashed vegetables. It also stimulates the excretion of feces dairy products and vegetable oil. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the fact that after 1 year, it is recommended to introduce such foods as dried apricots, dates and figs into the child’s diet. They will allow faster normalization of the intestines. In addition, it will be useful to add some wheat bran to the porridge.
Another popular remedy is aloe. Plant petals are considered very effective in stimulating the bowel and gastrointestinal tract. In order to prepare this natural baby laxative, you need to take a few leaves of aloe and put them in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. And after that, juice is squeezed out of the plant, which is mixed in equal proportions with honey. After 2-3 days of using this drug, the intestines and stomach will begin to work normally.
However, aloe has a not very pleasant taste, which may not be pleasant to the child. In this case, you can mix rowan berries and sugar. After that, home-made medicine should settle in a warm place until syrup is formed in it. At the next stage, the berries are squeezed out, and about 20-25 grams of alcohol are added to the liquid. This tool must be taken 1 teaspoon per day. However, it should be noted that this composition is suitable exclusively for adults and adolescents. Under no circumstances should babies be given any products that include alcohol.
If we are talking about smaller children, then it is better to use freshly squeezed carrot juice, which also stimulates the intestines.
Medicinal plants
For problems with the intestines in a child, you should pay attention to natural plants that have a laxative effect. For example, chamomile and fennel are often part of children's teas. However, it is worth paying close attention to the fact that in no case should nursing mothers and babies be given funds made on the basis of castor oil, buckthorn or senna.
Nevertheless, in more difficult situations, when the baby suffers from constipation, a natural baby laxative can be powerless. In this case, you should pay attention to specialized drugs.
What is better than suppositories or oral remedies?
Baby laxatives can be taken by mouth, in this case we are talking about powders, solutions, syrups and tablets. Also on sale are microclysters and suppositories, that is, drugs injected directly into the human rectum.
If we talk about the reviews and opinions of mothers and specialists, then they are completely different. It all depends on the specific conditions for the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms, as well as on the age of the child and other features. Nevertheless, many parents note that children's laxative suppositories are very effective. However, doctors strongly recommends paying attention to the fact that for a long time these microclysters cannot be used. In this case, addiction occurs, which can lead to relaxation of the rectum. Therefore, for a single use, you can use candles, but with longer therapy, you should pay attention to the lungs of children's laxatives, which will be taken orally.
What are the properties of drugs for constipation?
First of all, practically all the agents of this category allow you to bind water molecules, so that the volume of intestinal masses increases significantly. In addition, these drugs can be irritating to the intestinal wall, so their peristalsis improves with their help.
Among other things, drugs of this type do not allow salts to be absorbed into the intestines. It is worth paying attention that among the remedies there are salt laxatives and oily. Such drugs belong to the category of children's laxatives from 3 years. This is because the drugs are absorbed into the blood.
It is worth considering in more detail all the categories of the most common laxatives.
Annoying Laxatives
In this case, we are talking about fast-acting infant laxatives. These drugs quickly stimulate the intestinal receptors. This category of drugs is considered the most effective, since the bowel movement can begin a few minutes after using the product. However, you need to pay attention that due to such aggressive effects, these drugs should not be taken by pregnant, lactating mothers and newborns.
Often they cause even side effects. Therefore, you can take annoying laxatives only on the recommendation of a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to use them for diseases of the rectum, constipation due to intestinal cramps, hemorrhoids and other pathologies. Even provided that the specialist has authorized the use of these drugs, they can be used no longer than 10 days.
Osmotic drugs
These drugs "draw" water into the rectum, resulting in a liquefaction of feces. As a rule, laxatives of this type are prescribed not only in case of constipation, but also during routine endoscopic examinations.
Another advantage of these drugs is that they can be taken over time - up to three months. But if you increase the period of use of osmotic drugs, then this can disrupt the water-salt balance in the body. When taking these laxatives, you must make sure that the child consumes a large amount of liquid. Drugs of this type are also prescribed only on the recommendation of a doctor. As a rule, they are fast-acting baby laxatives from 3 years.
In no case should osmotic drugs be taken if an adult or a child suffers from diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Prebiotics Laxatives
These drugs are considered the most suitable for the child's body. This is because children's laxative syrups with prebiotics have a relatively mild effect. In addition, they not only help to cope with constipation, but also restore the intestinal microflora.
But it is worth noting that these funds begin to act no earlier than 1-2 days after the start of administration. They do not have serious contraindications, so they can be taken within 3 months.
If we talk about reviews of children's laxatives with prebiotics, then many mothers drew attention to the appearance of increased gas formation in babies, which appeared the next after taking the drug. Experts recommend not to worry about this side effect, since after a few days this problem disappears. The only contraindication that prebiotics possess is individual lactose intolerance, since it is part of the means.
Enemas
This method of combating constipation is not considered the best and is used only in emergency situations. An enema is recommended only if the child is poisoned and needs a quick bowel cleansing. If the doctor still recommends using douching, then in this case, you must make sure that the child drinks as much water as possible and, if possible, regularly takes food.
Contraindications laxatives
Contraindications directly depend on the specific composition of the drug. Some infant fast-acting laxatives are not allowed for babies under 6 years old, while others can also be used in the treatment of babies.
However, most often this category of drugs is not recommended if the baby suffers from intestinal obstruction, acute inflammatory diseases, cystitis, impaired water-electrolyte metabolism in the body or hypersensitivity. In addition, giving the child such drugs in case of acute abdominal pain is also not worth it. In this case, you need to see a doctor.
Also, these drugs are not recommended for small patients suffering from renal or liver failure.
In addition, it is worth considering the popular drugs that are most often used to treat children and have received the most positive reviews from mothers and pediatricians.
"Glycerol"
Suppositories with glycerin are irritating laxatives. They have a rather aggressive effect on the walls of the rectum, due to which there is a softening of feces. Specialists allow this tool to be used in case of problems with stool in newborns, but only for a single use.
For systematic use, it is worth choosing more gentle means. You need to understand that the baby’s body is just starting to form, so such drugs can have a negative effect on it.
Mikrolaks
This tool is distinguished by its combined effect. The composition of this microclyster includes sodium citrate, sorbitol and other components that are irritating. As in the first case, this tool is recommended to be used no more than once and only after consulting with your doctor.
The same goes for any other irritating or aggressive drugs. They are only allowed for older children, adolescents and adults.
Dufalac
This tool is the only drug that is allowed to be taken orally for both newborn babies and young children, and adults. The composition of Dufalac includes natural dietary fiber, in particular lactulose, which, as a rule, is added to infant formulas and gruel. This tool is considered the best, since it is approved by WHO and is approved for use from the first year of a baby's life.
It should be noted that Dufalac is not absorbed into the intestinal wall, therefore, does not penetrate the blood. At the same time, it combines water molecules, due to which there is an increase in the volume of intestinal masses. Despite the gentle effect of this remedy, it does not eliminate the problem, but only relieves the symptoms. Therefore, after discontinuation of the drug, problems with stools may resume again.
Forlax
Unlike Dufalac, it contains synthetic components, namely polyethylene glycol. This substance will also not be absorbed into the intestinal wall or digested. Therefore, the drug will not have any effect on the intestinal microflora. In this case, there will be no gas formation in the first days of taking the drug.
In all other respects, the drug acts in the same way as Dufalac. It binds water and increases intestinal mass. But it is worth noting that, unlike the previous tool, Forlax cannot be used for a long time. It can be used in the treatment of babies older than six months.
Children's laxative syrup "Help"
This drug is designed specifically for the youngest patients. However, it should be noted that it is allowed to be used only at the age of 3 years. In addition to lactulose, it contains vitamins of groups B, A and C.
Children's laxative "Help" refers to the category of soft preparations. In addition, it has many natural ingredients, herbal infusions, as well as sugar syrup. Therefore, the remedy will not cause unpleasant sensations in the baby. The only contraindication that this drug has is the individual intolerance of any of the components.
If we talk about reviews of the children's laxative syrup "Help", then many parents noted not only its effectiveness, but also a pleasant taste. In addition, syrup does not cause irritation and other allergic manifestations. Many noted that the child’s body quickly returns to normal. Useful vitamins and minerals also have a positive effect on babies aged 3 to 11 years. Therefore, this tool, experts and parents call it very effective. Another plus is its low cost.